Today we’d like to introduce you to Evette Odhiambo.
Evette, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up baking with my mom. When we still lived in Kenya, my mom baked all the birthday cakes for my brother and me, along with her other friends. As I got older, she began to teach me a few things here and there about the baking process. She mostly taught me general chemistry topics, but she was very good at relating science to baking. My mom was a genius and she could make almost any topic easy to comprehend.
I wanted to be a businesswoman in the fashion industry when I was younger. My mom never opposed that, so that is what I was planning to do until my last few weeks of high school when I finally decided to pursue chemistry in college. I’m really glad I made that decision early on because nothing makes me happier than learning about chemistry (and biochemistry). I’ve always been very visually-minded, so designing, in any aspect, has always been interesting to me. Being a chemist requires visualizing molecules and understanding their spatial arrangements, so I do think that my degree has helped me immensely with decorating cakes.
Baking cakes as a business was not something I ever intended to do. I made my first number of cake for my own birthday because I thought it was cheaper than buying one. After that, a few friends and family members asked me to make them cakes. Then when the Covid-19 quarantine began, I had some free time and I decided to start selling my cakes. I didn’t really have a plan and I didn’t overthink the process. I just started and I’m very glad I did that.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has been pretty great so far! My only issues have been with time management and dealing with some complicated customers. Some people can be very rude when it comes to an understanding of my time. I am not only running a baking business, I am also working full time on top of doing a plethora of other projects.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
The Chemistry of Baking is a baking cake business that is focused on creating cakes using science. I love cake and other sweets, so I am very picky about the quality of the cake more than anything. I have a background in formulating, so I use that same process to make my cake flavors. Of course, baking a cake is nothing new and there is not much ingenuity when it comes to creating flavors, but I do keep my focus on baking the best-tasting cakes.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I think the most memorable conversation that I’ve had, relating to my business is with my aunt. One day she asked me, “You’re baking another cake?” to which I replied, “Yes, there is a birthday every day and people are getting married or celebrating something every week.” As I told her that, I knew what I was saying, but I also never thought of it that way. There is literally a celebration every day, no matter what is happening in the world. I didn’t think people would want to buy cakes in a time when people are losing their jobs. But I think being able to celebrate the people we love helps bring some normalcy to all the constant changes in the world.
If you love to bake and you are great at decorating, I would encourage you to do some research, practice, and start selling! There are several talented bakers in the DFW area, but no one can bake every single cake for every single event. It’s easy to think that the market is oversaturated, but you could bring something new to the table.
Pricing:
- Letter Cakes start at $90
- Number Cakes start at $80/number
- 6 inch Round Cakes start at $65
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: thechemistryofbaking
- Facebook: thechemistryofbaking
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